Understanding Special Education Legislation Part 1 of 4

Hi all, Well I have this class that requires my group to help people understand an area of diversity in education. So, we thought that we would give you all some insight into some basics of special education legislation and how assessment of students with special needs is done in Washington State. We also cover sensory issues that are common and integration into the mainstream classroom.

Special Education Legislation Milestones

1973 – Rehabilitation Act with emphasis on Section 504

“No otherwise qualified person with a disability in the United States . . .shall, solely on the basis of disability, be denied access to, or the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by any institution receiving federal financial assistance." For a child to be identified as eligible for services under Section 504, there are less specific procedural criteria that govern the requirements of the school personnel. Schools may offer a student less assistance and monitoring with Section 504 because there are fewer regulations by the federal government to instruct them, especially in terms of compliance. This act also covers the lifetime of the person with disabilities and not just their basic educational skills.

1975 –Passed the Education of All Handicapped Children Act (EHA)

This law provided a “Free and Appropriate Education” (FAPE) so that handicapped children and adults ages 3-21 would be educated in the "least restrictive environment" to the maximum extent appropriate, meaning that they are educated with children who are not handicapped and that special classes, separate schools or other removal of children from their regular educational environment occurs only when the severity of the handicap is such that education in regular classes cannot be achieved.

1982 – U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Rowley vs. Board of Education

In Rowley, the Court issued its’ first Special Education ruling. They decided to hold that school districts did not have to provide the “best” education for disabled students but merely had to provide services so the child received “some educational benefit.” Thus setting a low standard for a FAPE.

1983 – Amended EHA

1990 – EHA changed to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

1997 – IDEA is amended again

A child must meet specific criteria. The degree of regulation is more specific in terms of time frames, parental participation, and formal paperwork requirements. IDEA also addresses the special education of students with disabilities from preschool to graduation only.

In the three first amendments to now IDEA supported initiatives for transition services from high school to adult living. Because of these mandates, each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) must include transition plans or procedures for identifying appropriate employment and other post school adult living objectives for the student; referring the student to appropriate community agencies; and linking the student to available community resources, including job placement and other follow-up services. The IEP must also specifically designate who is responsible for each transition activity. Finally, the 1997 Amendments to IDEA specified that transition planning should begin at age 14.

2004 – IDEA Part C programs for children with disabilities Birth – 2 years of age.

All information on Special Education Law was found at the U.S Department of Education website.

Winters Weird Cold Embrace

Life is precious this I realize but why does it have to be so cold during the winter. Has anybody asked mother nature who ticked her off and why so that maybe the whole country could get out from under this strangely long deep freeze?

Think about it, we have had weird fog yeah I know fog in of itself is weird but seriously my brothers and I went out a couple of weeks ago or so and came home for a short while. We left about an hour later and it was fog thick and limitless. Next we entered the bookstore and looked out the window 20 minutes later and it was clear as if the fog was a mirage.

The fog was back after we returned home a couple hours later. Talk about weird.

Okay so now I ask you what weird thing did Mother Natures Cold Winter Embrace do to your neck of the woods? Respond with a comment and feel free to check out blogs by other members of my family cuz trust me you will find a variety of funny, weird, and interesting info.